 Now listen to Father Knows Best transcribed starring Robert Young as Father. The Springfield had another half hour visit with the folks in the white frame house on Maple Street. Sit back and enjoy life with the Andersons. Kathy, Bud, Betty, Margaret and Jim. As the head of this typical American household again sets out to prove that Father Knows Best. According to an old philosopher named Bo V, whom I've never heard of, it is seldom that we find out how great our resources are until we are thrown upon them. A firm exponent of this sage viewpoint of self-reliance is one Jim Andersons. However, little did Jim suspect what was ahead of him this noon when Margaret confronted him at the door with a telegram like this. A telegram from your folks you say? Anything wrong Margaret? Oh no, they're moving. Dad says they have to leave Toledo. He's been transferred to Omaha. Oh honey, why are there never any hangers in this hall closet? I can't find any place to hang my coat. Dad says they're moving right away. I've been hanging my coat on a hook so long everyone thinks I have a pointed spine. How long is it since you've been back to Toledo? Oh I don't know, a long time. Well, you ought to enjoy the trip then. Yes, it would be very, wait a minute, enjoy what trip? Well, they want you to come to Toledo. I'm not going to help them move. All they want you to do is look over all that stuff we have stored in their basement. Tell them what we want to keep and what we want to throw away. Oh. There's quite a lot, some furniture and dishes, trunk full of clothes, your old saxophone. Gee, I'd forgotten that thing. I wonder if I could still play it. What do you mean still play it? Could you ever? All right, I was good enough for Hoagie Schultz and his campus cats. Mother! I used to take a whole solo chorus of moonlight on the Ganges. Mother! I'd like to get a hold of that thing again. Mother, has anyone called me? Who are you expecting? Nobody. Oh. But if Flam should call telling me you think I'm at the library, he likes the intellectual type. If Ralph calls telling I've locked myself in my room. I bet he'll be glad to get that news. He's so utterly old fashioned. You think we were still living way back in the 1930s. Way back then? He's fuming. I mean fuming, simply because I went to that dance Saturday with Glenn. I finally told him I never wanted to speak to him again as long as I lived. Good for you. So if he calls let me know because I want to talk to him. Yes Betty. Now please don't bother us because your father is planning a trip to Toledo. Now wait a minute. You are father? Margaret, I don't see how I can get away right now. There's a lot of things coming up at the office. Oh it would do you good to get away from that old office for a few days. Why are you going father? Oh, grandpa and grandma are moving to Omaha and they want us to get our stuff out of there. Furniture and a saxophone. All they meant. But father's going to Toledo. He is? To get a saxophone. You can probably get one right here in town dad. What do you want to use it for? I don't want to use it for anything. Seems kind of silly to get one then. But the reason your father is going to Toledo is to check over a lot of things he and I accumulated during the period when we had to live with my folks. I wish you wouldn't always refer to it as the period when we had to live with your. Sounds like I couldn't support you. Well I didn't mean. We just happened to move in there because we were broke. Well dad, speaking of trips, that's what I wanted to ask you about. Joe Phillips and me are planning one. You are? Yeah for this summer. We're going to Paris, France. Paris, France? On a cattle boat. On a cattle boat? Sounds like a pleasant void. Can I go? I can just see you and Joe in the cattle strolling up the Rudy La Paix. Well the cattle aren't going right into Paris. Where are they going? Oh they'll... Joe didn't say. They're probably just going along for the ride. But you can't go to France. You don't know a single word of French. Well that doesn't matter. Joe's uncle told us you can go anywhere in the world if all you know how to speak is just English. All you have to do then is learn how to speak English and you'll be all set. Well Jim, if you're leaving I'd better start packing something for you. Margaret I haven't said I was going. I think you'd welcome the opportunity to get away for a few days. Well sure. I know sometimes I get pretty set up with the daily routine around here. You know like I'd like to get away. Sure I know that but hey wait a minute maybe that's an idea. Why don't you go? Me? Sure be a nice change for you. Oh I couldn't go. Why not? Oh well I just couldn't that's all. Why don't you go mother? You can decide what to do with all that stuff as well as I can. Oh I don't know. They're expecting you Jim. Mommy! I've got too much to do around here. What for instance? Mommy, how long does it take for this junk to work? What junk Kathy? This old... Oh hello Daddy. Hi kitten. This old hair tonic. I put a half bottle on my hair last night and it hasn't grown a quarter of an inch even. You should have thought of all this before you got smart and chopped your hair off. Oh it turned blue. Lord Messon has got a cousin who was bald at age 19. Well now there's an interesting bit of information. They called him shorty. Well that makes sense. Hey Kathy did you hear about mother? She's going to Toledo. Are you mommy? Well no. I'm going to Paris France. Oh gosh I don't get to go any place. Well I'm not going to Toledo. Your father's the one who's going. Are you gonna drop butt off in the way? Listen Joby, Paris France is a lot farther than Toledo. And he's going with a bunch of cattle. I am not. They're just gonna be on the boat with us. I've got to ask Joe more about that. All I know is that it's a lot cheaper to go that way. Now there's probably a lot of wealthy cattle on there and they're charging them more. Oh I'll get it. I'll get it. That's the one she's not going to speak to anymore. Jim do you want me to pack your gray suit or do you want to wear it? Look I'm not going on this trip. You are remember? Oh you know I can't go. I don't know why not. I'll go. One thing I don't want to go alone. I never have traveled alone. Well it's high time you started doing it then. The average housewife gets too much in the habit of depending on her husband. Yeah. You get into a rut with all your chores here at home. You don't get out enough. Actually you're deprived of the opportunity of developing any self-reliance because you have no responsibilities. No responsibilities. But it's not your fault Margaret. If it's anybody's fault it's mine. I should have seen that you had more chances to get away to take trips alone. But from now on I'm going to see to it that you do. Jim you know I can't just pick up and leave. There's a whole hamper full of clothes that need ironing. So what they'll keep. They'll be right here when you get back. That's the whole trouble. Is there any other reason why you can't leave. No hundreds of them. The man from the paint store is going to be here with wallpaper samples for our bedroom. I can get rid of him fast enough. And the PTA is getting ready for the room mother's tea. Mrs. Rodney has been appointed chairman and I have to give her a lot of information on it. Have you got the information. Yes it's in a folder. All right I'll give her the information. That's simple enough. You worry about these things too much. I'm not worrying it's just if you run your house more like I run my office if you'd organize things you'd have worlds of time to yourself. Oh sure sure. It wasn't Ralph after all it was Glenn. Did you tell him you were at the library. No. Glenn's office sweet but sometimes he sounds so horribly juvenile. You'd never think he was 16. Well Margaret you'd better get upstairs and start packing. I'll call the depot and see if we can get you on that 430 train. Well I don't know. Come on now Margaret it'll do you good. You can have a nice visit with the folks stay a few extra days if you want to. All right all right I'll do it good girl or should I certainly should I get going or you'll miss the train. Well all right I haven't got anything decent to wear though women never do have father I better call the depot right now father what is it Betty is there much difference in urine mother's ages. Well there wasn't much difference in our ages until she reached her 35th birthday. Since then the gap has widened a little. Well I think it should be highly considered now take Len and me I haven't the time right now he's a full year younger than I am. Well that's not much. No it isn't now but when I'm 40 he'll only be 39. You better drop him right now. Yes Ralph's more my age I wish I was speaking to him dad whatever it is but hold it I've got to go in the den and make that phone call. Don't hang on the phone too long father Ralph might call. I'll try not to but you know how chatty those ticket agents are. You better run upstairs and see if you can help your mother get ready. But I haven't time to bother with Kathy now you go see what she wants. No I'll come with you and help you ignore. Where does everyone hide the phone book I never can find that thing it's right on the desk next to the phone. Oh no wonder I couldn't find it. Dad how about it can I make that trip to Paris friends. I don't know but I've got to have more time to think that over. Here we are Lexington two to seven. Joe's uncle says we can work our way across won't cost us hardly anything. You better wait a year or so. After all you're only. Hello say I'd like to get a ticket on the 430 train for Toledo. Daddy that's right Toledo daddy can't you see he's talking on the phone dopey I turn green it's cut it out. What did you say. Yes round trip what's a round trip. Mrs. James Anderson fine. What time does that train leave. Oh 430. Well thank you. Well that's that. That's getting some of this stuff here to put on my hair. I don't care do whatever you want to Margaret Margaret you're all set. What did you say. Dad look what Kathy's putting on her hair. What is it. Miracle grow more. Let me see that. Oh my goodness the scientific plant food. But that's a put on her for two years. Guaranteed to make anything grow. It'll not only make your hair grow but we'll have to harvest you every fall. Boy are you dopey. Turn violent. What was it you were trying to tell me Margaret all I said was that you're all set. Kathy for heaven's sake what have you done to your hair now. I was just trying to make my hair grow out faster with this stuff here. Miracle grow. Oh good heavens. All she has to do now is water it twice a day and keep down the weeds. I can't leave. What do you mean this is no problem all she's got to do is wash her hair. You hurry and finish packing. But there's the meals and the children's clothes and not a thing I can't handle. You've just let yourself get swamped by unimportant details. Meals are unimportant. With my training in office procedure I'll have this place running like clockwork. So stop worrying and get your bags packed. Well all right but you carry your bags down for her and I'll get the car out. Kathy you wash your hair. Yes I'm hungry. We will return to the Andersons in a moment. Greater happiness for more people. That's the result of many decades of proving that the American economic system is the best system in the world. Under this system we've been able to outproduce any other nation to turn out more goods and services per man our and to enjoy a steadily rising standard of living. Remember the better we produce the better we live. According to Jim Anderson the surest way for a wife and mother to lose her self reliance is to stay too close to the shelter of home losing her strength and confidence in the performance of a few childishly simple tasks about the house. And so Margaret has been dispatched to handle family business in Toledo while Jim takes over the trivial task of managing the White Frame House on Maple Street like this. All right kids in the kitchen here. Attention. What is this the army. We're simply going to have a little organization. I'm going to show you. I wonder if Ralph called while we were driving mother to the station. Are you listening. Sure but you go ahead and talk father I can hear the phone if it rings. Daddy is it to the bear grease will make your hair grow. Now that mother's away and I'm running the house. Do you have any bear grease. Kathy. For Pete's sake what's bear grease. Probably what they use for greasing bears. Stop milling around all of you and listen who's milling around. It doesn't make any difference. What's this hark hark. I thought I heard the phone. Boy is she gone she's here in Belle. All right now let's cut out this foolishness. While mother's away we're going to show her how easily we can run things around here. Are you listening bud. Sure. What's the idea sitting there with your hands cupped over your ears. It's like holding a seashell to your ear. I can hear the waves. But I can hear you real good. Take your hands down. Kathy stop rubbing your fuzzy head. Betty quit listening for the telephone. This is a meeting and I want all three of you to pay attention. Now hear this. I said mother on this trip to Toledo for very definite reasons. I want to show her how easily things can be handled here with a little more organization. Mommy runs the house all right. That's true kitten but compared to running an office like I do managing a house is simple. Dad. What is it bud. It's almost five o'clock. I'm getting hungry. All right let's get things organized for dinner and we'll run this meal like clockwork. Kathy you set the table. But you peel the potatoes and Betty you do the cooking. See that's what I'm talking about system. What are you going to do father. I think I'll go on see if the papers come yet. Some system. Now wait a minute father. If I get the stove in this deal what am I supposed to put on it. Why. What you always put on the stove dinner. Well I set the table in the breakfast room of the dining room daddy. Well there's just the four of us will eat in the breakfast room kitten table. Don't move those things I'm cutting out a dress on the table over it. You won't either. All right let's not get excited we'll use the dining room where the potatoes but you won't find them standing in the middle of the kitchen with your hands on top of your head. Look for them. What dishes do you want to use daddy. It doesn't not the good one don't be. I don't see any potatoes but they wouldn't be in the drawer with a dish towels. The refrigerator. Father are you going to let bud go around in the kitchen in that shirt. It looks like he's been crawling under the house. What's wrong with this shirt just a little dusty but go put on a clean shirt. I haven't got one they're all in the wash well got one out of the wash. Not iron mom didn't get a chance. What are we going to have for dinner daddy. Well what we always have. Shall I put on soup plate. Yes. I wish I was on a cattle boat. Telephone I'll get it. Don't get in any long winded conversation. I just know it's Ralph he always calls just. Hello. Oh no this is Betty Anderson mother isn't here. Who is it Betty. This is Mrs Rodney I was to call your mother about the PTA. Oh just a minute. It's Mrs Rodney father for mother about the PTA. I'll take it princess you go out and get dinner started. Oh how I hate that Ralph. Hello Mrs Rodney this is Mr Anderson. Margaret. No this is Mr Anderson. Mrs Anderson is out of town but I have all the information for you Mrs Rodney. You're calling about the PTA room mothers T. Yes I'm the chairman Margaret was going to tell me about recipe for the punch. Well I have everything right here in a book we'll just run right through it. Oh dear do you have a pencil. Yes I think I have. Thinking about I couldn't use your pencil. You're on the other end of the line. Yes. Hi daddy. Excuse me Kathy where are you going with that laundry. I'm going to share. Kathy wait. Hello. Hello Mrs Rodney. I found a pencil. I'll take down the recipe for the punch. Just a minute. Here it is. Five quarts of ginger ale. One quart of grape juice. Three or four of the girls don't like ginger ale. Well I don't know it says here. Excuse me Mrs Rodney what is it but Betty doesn't want any potatoes and Kathy doesn't want any and I can get along without them. You want me to peel a potato for you. But skip the potatoes. Hello. Hello Mrs Rodney. I thought Mrs. Lippert was bringing the potatoes for the salad. I was talking to my son. Now about the punch. Mrs. Anderson has here in the book. Mrs. Ferguson that will have to use her car to pick up the ice. Mrs. Clark's husband has to use their car. Now what about the chairs. Chairs. That should be in here somewhere. Father do you have to camp on the telephone. Well I don't think we should get the chairs from the junior high school again. Last time half the girls got gum all over their skirts. Well in the book here it says. Please father. And I don't think we should try to have flowers on all the tables. Mrs. Love said her carnations are late this year. Excuse me Mrs. Rodney. Father Ralph may be trying to call me. Never mind I'll get it. Somebody at the door Mrs. Rodney I'll call you back. Betty go out and get dinner going. I'll answer the door. I can't find anything to cook. Well open a can or something. All right all right I'm coming. Good afternoon. Is Mrs. Anderson here. No Mrs. Anderson is unfortunately left town. Oh well I'm Mr. Huber from the paint store. Well we don't want any painting done not right now. Oh I don't paint I've brought out the wallpaper samples Mrs. Anderson wanted to see. I have them right here I'll just bring them in. Couldn't we do this at some more convenient time like midnight. I think I have some patterns here you like that bedroom. Kathy I thought you were ironing Buds shirt. Oh gee I was was not iron on Buds shirt. Quite a family you have Mr. Anderson. Yes now Mr. Huber. How do you like this pattern for the bedroom it's called volcano. We could use that in the kitchen. Here's another one that's quite popular flowers in the mist. Yes I like that we'll take that one or perhaps you like this one better ivy and hummingbirds dad excuse me what is it but the organization in the kitchen is falling apart. Just a minute but Mr. Huber if your bedroom has a southern exposure here's a nice one it's called waiting for the Robert E. Lee. Just a minute Betty dad yes but I'm hungry. Now Mr. Anderson I have some others here that you might like. What are we going to eat dad Mr. Anderson am I interrupting something. Of course not it's always like this excuse me Mr. Huber I have some others to show you just take your time Mr. Anderson. Margaret. Hello Jim. Oh am I glad to see you. How'd you get here I thought you were on the train. Well it's a long story dear what in the world is going on the house is full of smoke and Mrs. Robbie is waiting on the phone do you want to talk to her again father. No never. Margaret take the phone talk to her. What's the matter dear tell her I'm home and that I'll call her later Betty. Gee mom it's your good to see you. Well I've been gone a full 45 minutes. What is your home mother. Well we're glad she's home but let's not be hysterical about it. Didn't either fall apart it takes a little time to get things organized that's all. By that time we'd be dead. Starvation. Are you leaving again mother. Margaret whatever happened that you missed your train to Toledo or something I think it's all for the best. Oh yes I've been thinking there's really no reason for you to go to Toledo alone. I thought I needed it for my self reliance. Well I have a much better idea no need for you to make that long trip alone your folks haven't seen the kids in a long time. Why don't we all go. Yeah we can eat on the train. What if Ralph calls. It's all right with me dear but I'd hate to take you away until you've done what you wanted to do. What's that honey. Well you were going to show me how to run the house with simplicity and efficiency. I wouldn't want to miss learning self reliance. Anderson's will be right back. This is a call to service for 50,000 young women. That figure 50,000 is the number of student nurses needed this year. To qualify as a student nurse a young woman must be a high school graduate or college student of good health and character. To answer this call go to your nearest hospital or collegiate school of nursing or talk with your school advisor. Well the good ship Anderson had rough sailing this afternoon with Jim at the wheel but now the regular skipper is back at the helm and it's full speed ahead and steady as you go. It's a few minutes later in the Anderson living room and the last remnant of the afternoon storm is being sent on his way like this. Thank you for stopping by Mr. Hubert. Thank you Mrs. Anderson. Goodbye. Goodbye. I can't understand it Margaret. I'm an efficient man. I'm a capable organizer. What happened in this house when you stepped out the door. I can't understand it. Well dear it was probably just one of those days. I know darn well it wasn't my fault. My business depends on efficiency knowing right where everything is knowing exactly what's going on. Of course dear. How in the world did you miss the 430 train. I made the reservations myself. I got the time right I know. Well you got the 430 right dear but it was 430 tomorrow morning. How could that railroad have made a mistake like that. Next week we'll be back with Father Knows Best starring Robert Young as Jim Anderson. In our cast we're Ted Donaldson as Bud Jean Vanderpile, Rhoda Williams, Norma Jean Nielsen, Lynn Whitney, Howard Culver, Bill Foreman and Don Stanley speaking. Father Knows Best is directed by Andrew C. Love transcribed in Hollywood and written by Paul West and Roswell Rogers. Free chimes mean good times on NBC. Every Friday evening there's a trio of top programs on this station. The Mario Lanza show presents that fine singing star in person along with a lovely guest artist. Then for Western Song and Adventure listen to the Roy Rogers show and for top satirical entertainment go inside Bob and Ray. Yes Friday is fine when you tune this station and hear Mario Lanza, Roy Rogers and Bob and Ray. Now it's Frank Lovejoy with Night Beat on NBC.